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Is Everyone Sleeping on Illinois Basketball's 'Other' Impact Freshman?

Is Everyone Sleeping on Illinois Basketball's 'Other' Impact Freshman?

Freshmen tend to enter college basketball with their games most polished up on the offensive end. Nowadays, with the developmental tools and resources at the fingertips of high school hoopers, teenage recruits often arrive at high-major programs already skilled enough to contribute on that end.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 23
Has Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Only Scratched the Surface of His Potential?

Has Illinois' Andrej Stojakovic Only Scratched the Surface of His Potential?

We probably toss around certain phrases and words too often in sports: gifted, special (and in a nod to Illinois' Brad Underwood) elite. If you're playing Division I college athletics, chances are, one or all of those descriptors apply.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 23
Preview: Illinois Basketball vs. UT Rio Grande Valley (Game 7)

Preview: Illinois Basketball vs. UT Rio Grande Valley (Game 7)

No. 8 Illinois (5-1) got back on the right side of the win column on Saturday afternoon, blasting a solid Long Island team 98-58, yet the Illini still failed to put together a full 40 minutes.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 23
First Look at Illinois Basketball's Game 7 Opponent: UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros

First Look at Illinois Basketball's Game 7 Opponent: UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros

Illinois will get right back to work after its dominant win over Long Island when it hosts UT Rio Grande Valley on Monday at the State Farm Center in Champaign (7 p.m.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 23
Keaton Wagler’s Breakout Has Illinois Basketball Facing a One-and-Done Reality

Keaton Wagler’s Breakout Has Illinois Basketball Facing a One-and-Done Reality

If anyone actually predicted that Keaton Wagler would emerge as an NBA prospect six games into his college career, they might want to go out and buy a lottery ticket.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 22
Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball's Beatdown of Long Island

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Basketball's Beatdown of Long Island

Injuries and the resulting availability issues prevented the Illinois men's basketball team from showing off its depth and full complement of weapons before Saturday's home game against Long Island.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 22
Three Key Stats From Illinois Basketball's Blowout Win Over Long Island

Three Key Stats From Illinois Basketball's Blowout Win Over Long Island

Illinois got exactly what it needed on Saturday afternoon – a clean, decisive rebound from the Alabama loss. After a tense, high-level battle against the

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 22
Three Instant Takeaways From Illinois' Blowout Win Over Long Island

Three Instant Takeaways From Illinois' Blowout Win Over Long Island

On Saturday, No. 8 Illinois (5-1) faced a tough-as-nails Long Island (3-3) squad led by NBA veteran Rod Strickland. The Illini used a 47-11 run to close out the first half and enter the break with a commanding lead.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / November 22
Kylan Boswell News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 22
Illinois' Kylan Boswell Rises Up for Unexpected Putback Jam Against Long Island

Illinois' Kylan Boswell Rises Up for Unexpected Putback Jam Against Long Island

The athleticism of Kylan Boswell has been well established. The Illinois senior guard has a quick first step, straight-line speed with the ball, strength and balance, plus exceptional lateral ability on defense.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 22

Illinois' Injury-Plagued Key Contributors Are Finally Getting on Their Feet

Few teams on the national stage – and perhaps none in the Big Ten – have been battered by injuries as dramatically as Illinois. Through five games of the 2025-26 season, the Illini have already totaled 18 player games missed due to injury.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 21
Preview: Illinois Basketball vs. Long Island (Game 6)

Preview: Illinois Basketball vs. Long Island (Game 6)

On the heels of a tough loss in Chicago against Alabama, No. 8 Illinois (4-1) is seeking a bounce-back, confidence-restoring win and will very likely get it against Long Island (3-2) on Saturday afternoon.

College Basketball (W) News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 21

Preview: Illinois Women's Basketball vs. Florida State (Game 5)

The Illinois women’s basketball team hits the road again Friday with the goal of stringing together some wins after defeating Murray State on Tuesday. The Illini are 3-1 on the season, but they are still searching for their first true road victory after falling at Oregon State in their only away game so far.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 20
Illinois Football Included in JUCO Lineman TJ Taylor's Top Five: What it Means

Illinois Football Included in JUCO Lineman TJ Taylor's Top Five: What it Means

Illinois landed junior college offensive tackle Alfred Washington on Tuesday, and a day later coach Bret Bielema and his staff received more good news from the JUCO front: TJ Taylor, a top-10 overall junior college prospect, included Illinois among his top five college destinations.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 20
Illinois Basketball Signs Four-Star Guard Lucas Morillo: How He Fits

Illinois Basketball Signs Four-Star Guard Lucas Morillo: How He Fits

A day after Illinois (4-1) absorbed its first defeat of the 2025-26 season, the program bounced right back with a win.On Thursday, Illini coach Brad Underwood announced that four-star guard Lucas Morillo, who committed to the program in October , had officially signed with Illinois.

Brad Underwood News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / November 20
Was Brad Underwood Wrong to Play Illinois’ Tomislav Ivisic Against Alabama?

Was Brad Underwood Wrong to Play Illinois’ Tomislav Ivisic Against Alabama?

We had been saying it all offseason, and then into the 2025-26 campaign: Tomislav Ivisic is probably Illinois’ best player. Even after his – how do we put this gently?

Bret Bielema News / College Football News / November 19
Illinois vs Wisconsin Prediction: The Bret Bielema Bowl

Illinois vs Wisconsin Prediction: The Bret Bielema Bowl

Illinois never should’ve left the College Football Playoff top 25, and now it’s back in at 21 after beating Rutgers and Maryland - like that was enough to catch the committee’s eye.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / November 18
College Basketball News / Field Level Media / November 15
David Mirkovic records 20-20 game as No. 14 Illinois eases past Colgate

David Mirkovic records 20-20 game as No. 14 Illinois eases past Colgate

Freshman forward David Mirkovic piled up 27 points and 21 rebounds to lead No. 14 Illinois to an 84-65 nonconference victory over Colgate on Friday night in Champaign, Ill.

25 men's college hoops teams to watch in 2025-26
The 'Most men's NCAA Tournament appearances' quiz
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / November 14
College Basketball News / Field Level Media / November 12
Clutch block allows No. 14 Illinois to edge No. 11 Texas Tech

Clutch block allows No. 14 Illinois to edge No. 11 Texas Tech

Andrej Stojakovic scored 23 points and made the big defensive play Tuesday night as No. 14 Illinois held off No. 11 Texas Tech 81-77 in Champaign, Ill.

25 men's college hoops teams to watch in 2025-26
The 'Men's Final Fours since 2000' quiz

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